Understanding How Light Brown Over Bleached Hair Will Fade
When you color your bleached hair with a light brown shade, several factors will influence the appearance of your hair as the color fades away. Understanding these factors can help you prepare and maintain the look you want, especially if you have dark brown natural hair.
Underlying Pigment
Since your natural hair color is dark brown, the bleached hair has already lost much of its pigment, appearing lighter. When the light brown color fades, the underlying bleached color may show through. This could result in a lighter, possibly brassy or yellowish tone, depending on how well the bleach was done and the previous color history. For optimal results, it's crucial to use professional-level hair bleach and follow the proper coloring technique.
Fading Process
Leaving your hair alone to fade over time may lead to uneven results because the hair is not uniform in its porosity. Often, areas such as the tips or previously damaged sections will lose color faster, leading to a more uneven appearance. Using color-fade shampoo and conditioner can help maintain a more consistent color distribution during the fade process.
Return to Natural Color
If you wish to return to your natural dark brown color, you will need to re-dye the hair with a permanent dye that matches your natural shade. If the light brown color fades completely, you may see a mix of the bleached tone and your natural color, depending on how much of the previous color remains. Ensure you use high-quality permanent dyes to achieve and maintain the desired color.
Maintenance
To keep the light brown look fresh and vibrant, several steps can be taken. Using color-safe shampoos and conditioners can help prevent the color from washing out too quickly. Regular touch-ups every 4 to 6 weeks can maintain the desired shade and prevent unwanted brassiness. Investing in quality hair care products can significantly impact the longevity and appearance of your hair color.
Overall, the result of fading color on bleached hair will likely be a mix of the bleached shades and your natural hair color, leading to a potentially uneven or brassy look. The fader rate depends on the extent of bleaching, your hair's porosity, and how you maintain the color.
The color will fade out and eventually revert to the color before you applied the new color. Your bleached hair will not magically return to your natural dark brown hair through the fade process. It will grow out over time. If the color is bothering you, you can consider recoloring over it, but be prepared for it to fade out again.
If you are planning a color retreat back to your natural color, it's better to use a deposit-only color like a semi-permanent or demi-permanent color. These types of dyes are more gentle and lasted longer on bleached hair. Always follow the instructions and consider consulting a professional stylist to achieve the best results.
Light brown pigments are less intense compared to darker colors, making them less colorfast. Most of the time, light brown will not become lighter due to repeated coloring. The color pigments build up with each application, contributing to a richer, darker shade. Your naturally dark brown hair, when colored with light brown, will fade somewhat lighter than light brown, as the natural pigments are only lightened up to the light brown range. Understanding these factors can help you maintain the desired hair color and manage expectations during the fade process.
By following the tips and techniques outlined above, you can better manage the fading process and achieve the look you want for your bleached hair with light brown color.